Wednesday’s political round-up

May 17, 2006

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* Yesterday was Primary Day in Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Among the interesting results: Gov. [tag]Ted Kulongoski[/tag] (D) and [tag]Ron Saxton[/tag] (R) won Oregon’s gubernatorial primaries; LEO newspaper founder [tag]John Yarmuth[/tag] (D) cruised to an easy primary victory in Kentucky’s 3rd and will take on perennial target Rep. [tag]Anne Northup[/tag] (R); and Iraq war veteran [tag]Patrick Murphy[/tag] (D) won the right to take on Rep. [tag]Mike Fitzpatrick[/tag] (R).

* Also yesterday in Pennsylvania, Rep. [tag]Don Sherwood[/tag] (R), who represents a very conservative “red” district, survived a primary challenge from a “virtual unknown with a Democratic voting history.” Sherwood beat [tag]Kathy Scott[/tag], 56% to 44%, despite the fact that Scott spent less than $5,000 on the race through April. The poor showing may have something to do with Sherwood’s messy extramartial affair, which led to accusations from his mistress that he also assaulted her. Sherwood will face Navy veteran [tag]Chris Carney[/tag] (D) in November.

* In a surprise move that might further shake up Connecticut’s Dem Senate primary, the [tag]National Organization for Women[/tag] bucked Sen. [tag]Joe Lieberman[/tag] (D) and endorsed [tag]Ned Lamont[/tag] (D). NOW’s press release on the endorsement alluded to Lieberman’s vote allowing [tag]Samuel Alito[/tag]’s Supreme Court nomination to go to the Senate floor earlier this year.

* In Washington state, Sen. [tag]Maria Cantwell[/tag] (D)’s lead over businessman [tag]Mike McGavick[/tag] (R) seems to be slipping, at least according to the latest Rasmussen poll. Whereas Cantwell led McGavick 48% to 40% a month ago, Rasmussen now says she’s ahead, 46% to 41%. Cantwell seems to be slipping in large part because of problems with her base — she has voiced mild support for the war in Iraq and voted for the Alito nomination.

* And in Minnesota, child-safety advocate [tag]Patty Wetterling[/tag] secured the Dem nomination in the state’s 6th congressional district this week when state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg dropped out of the race at the local Democratic convention following seven rounds of balloting.

Way to go NOW. Lieberman needs to start support Dem policies and not this administration.

Any insight into Chris Carney’s chances in November? I understand that its a red district, and thus Carney is likely pretty conservative, but still an incumbant barely beating an unknown challenger that essentially didn’t spend any money? That’s unheard of. Go Carney!

  • Rep. Don Sherwood (R), who represents a very conservative “red” district, survived a primary challenge from a “virtual unknown with a Democratic voting history.”

    Just wondering, where do you go to look up a person’s voting history? Does the NSA have that too?

  • As I posted late last night on yesterday’s election article, Oregon also has an independent (former Republican), State Senator Ben Westlund, petitioning to get on the ballot for November. If he does get the required number of signatures, he may be a spoiler in the race. Westlund is a moderate, in fact liberal on some issues, supporting gay civil unions, and health care for all. Oregon is pretty much gridlocked with the fighting between the Rs and Ds and Westlund claims an indy can break it.

    Here’s an interesting article on him:
    http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3225/7482/

    I’m going to work on unseating Rep. Walden (R, bush-a**kisser). Our district traditionally has had Rs in congress, but with the mood against the Rs this year, it may be possible. Walden is “popular” I guess, and not a rightwing nutjob, but if we can push his ties to bush that hurt his constituents he might lose some support.

  • Slight Cantwell correction: She voted AGAINST Alito, but then she failed to vote FOR the filibuster. However, your point stands: she is indeed in trouble with her base.

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